Nigeria and eight other African countries recorded 67 confirmed yellow fever instances, together with 18 deaths, between January and October 2026, in keeping with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The affected countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the (*67*) African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo.
In a Disease Outbreak News report printed on 6 November 2026, the WHO mentioned yellow fever transmission continues throughout its African Region, with latest outbreak exercise concentrated in elements of West Africa, together with communities near worldwide borders.
Nigeria recorded 4 confirmed instances, together with one demise, throughout the reporting interval, whereas Cameroon reported 9 instances and one demise.
Côte d’Ivoire recorded the very best variety of confirmed instances, with 30 infections and 10 deaths, adopted by Burkina Faso, which reported 15 instances and three deaths.
Ghana recorded 4 instances and three deaths, whereas Liberia reported one laboratory-confirmed case. The (*67*) African Republic recorded two instances, whereas Guinea and Togo reported one case every. No deaths had been recorded amongst confirmed instances within the latter three countries.
The WHO famous that the figures mirror the most recent info out there as of 12 October 2026. It mentioned the detection of instances within the 9 countries signifies elevated transmission throughout elements of West Africa.
Factors driving transmission
The WHO recognized frequent cross-border motion, uneven vaccination protection and environmental situations that favour the unfold of contaminated mosquitoes as elements rising the danger of additional transmission.
“Occupational and environmental exposures, including work in or near forested areas, mining activities, and other outdoor occupations, are important risk factors for yellow fever infection,” it famous.
“Frequent cross-border population movement, the presence of competent mosquito vectors, and uneven vaccination coverage increase the risk of further transmission and geographic spread.”
According to the WHO, cross-border motion for commerce, farming, livestock, and mining may contribute to the unfold of the virus between affected and neighbouring countries.
The WHO mentioned affected countries, with assist from the organisation and other companions, are strengthening illness surveillance, investigating instances, conducting laboratory exams and intensifying efforts to establish infections.
Other measures embody group engagement, danger communication and vaccination actions in affected and high-risk areas.
Regional danger
The WHO mentioned it assessed the general public well being danger related to the yellow fever state of affairs as reasonable throughout the African Region on 27 October, whereas the worldwide danger stays low.
It thought-about continued transmission and extra instances within the area probably, citing current immunity gaps, challenges with surveillance and laboratory testing, insecurity, restricted sources and difficulties accessing some affected communities.
The organisation warned that introducing the virus into densely populated city and peri-urban areas with low vaccination protection may set off bigger outbreaks and put further strain on public well being response techniques.
“Unvaccinated populations are at highest risk, particularly rural and forest-edge communities, mobile and cross-border populations and people who work in forested areas, agriculture or mining,” it added.
Vaccination stays key
Yellow fever is an acute viral illness transmitted via the chunk of contaminated mosquitoes. It may cause fever, headache, physique aches, nausea, vomiting and weak point.
According to the WHO, about 15 per cent of contaminated individuals develop extreme sickness, which can contain recurrent excessive fever, jaundice, bleeding, shock and organ failure.
“Approximately half of patients who enter this severe phase die within seven to 10 days,” it famous.
The WHO mentioned no particular antiviral therapy is routinely beneficial, and medical administration is essentially supportive.
It recognized vaccination as the best safety measure, noting {that a} single dose gives lifelong safety.
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The WHO urged at-risk countries to take care of excessive vaccination protection via routine immunisation and preventive or outbreak-response campaigns, notably in communities with recognized immunity gaps.
It additionally known as for stronger surveillance, well timed laboratory testing, mosquito management and public consciousness of signs and prevention measures.
The organisation suggested worldwide travellers aged 9 months and above visiting areas susceptible to yellow fever transmission to obtain vaccination.
(*18*)
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